Sunday, August 02, 2015, 3:35 p.m.

Hearing set in Arkansas voter ID lawsuit

An Arkansas judge has scheduled a hearing over a request to block the enforcement of the state's voter ID law in next month's primary.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox on Wednesday scheduled a hearing for May 2 over the motion for a preliminary injunction against the new law requiring voters to show photo identification before casting a ballot. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Arkansas Public Law Center sued the state last week over the law, saying it violates Arkansas' constitution.

The groups have asked Fox to block the law's enforcement during the May 20 primary. Early voting for the primary begins May 5.

The Republican-led Legislature approved the new law last year, overriding a veto by Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe.